noun
tsukudani; food simmered in sweetened soy sauce
A traditional Japanese preserved food made by simmering small fish, shellfish, seaweed, or other ingredients in soy sauce, sugar, and mirin until the liquid is absorbed. Often served as a side dish or rice topping.
朝ごはんに、ご飯と佃煮を食べました。
I had rice and tsukudani for breakfast.
この佃煮は、小魚を甘辛く煮てあります。
This tsukudani is made by simmering small fish in a sweet and salty sauce.
Named after Tsukudajima (佃島), an island in Tokyo where this cooking method was developed during the Edo period. The exact historical derivation is well-established.